Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and, acceptance – I bet everyone can notice some synergies of five grief stages with the current reality during the Coronavirus outbreak. We are grieving our past life, the possibility of losing the ones we love, wondering what future holds, and trying to make time feel more alive. Each of us copes differently with the change of situation and probably has an opinion about actions different individuals or governments have been taking so far. Many Lithuanians were traveling in various places around the world when the quarantine started and many countries started to shut down. I asked them several questions about their first experiences when it all began. It might feel we are all far away from each other, but this time could be an opportunity to become closer if we leave our hearts and minds open.
A Couple Stuck in Dominica After Waiting One Year for This Trip
Where were you exactly and what were you doing when you first heard about the quarantine?
S: We were in the jungle without the Internet, thus, we heard about the quarantine a day after it had been announced.
What made you worry the most?
S: To tell you truth, we were not worried as we thought we still would come back home because our flights were not canceled. However, they closed ferries between Dominica and Martinique and we could not get back to Martinique where our flight to Paris was from. Once France closed its border and canceled remaining flights, we realized that we are 7000km away from home without any possibility to reach Europe – that’s when the situation got real.
The first person you called when you knew you are stuck in a foreign country?
S: I cannot remember. Once we got the Internet, we were writing to everyone – parents, employers, the embassy, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
When do you think you will be able to come back home?
Currently, (The chat was on March 21st- editor’s note) we are hoping that we will be able to come back on the 3rd of April, but there is no guarantee that we will not be stuck in France. At least, we would be on the right continent.
Where will you go first after this is over?
S: To one beer place called Špunka 🙂
What is the last photo you took?
Update on a happy ending. A couple made it to their home after taking a flight from the Caribbean to Paris, another one from Paris to Minsk, and drove with a Belarusian lorry driver who was kind enough to take them to the border of Lithuania. Once reaching Lithuania, they were isolated in Šalčininkai hostel, but no one was complaining – they were finally home. Currently, they are in quarantine, locked in their apartment with negative COV-19 test results!
Stuck in Porto, Portugal, when Visiting Friends
Where were you exactly and what were you doing when you first heard about the quarantine?
R: I was enjoying a big fat croissant and was drinking Porto wine.
The first person you called when you knew you are stuck in a foreign country?
R: I didn’t call anyone. At that moment, I checked that all our flights were still on…until the last minute, they were not.
What made you worry the most?
R: Mostly, the possibility of being sick as a guest at a friend’s home, made me worried but, anyway, we were stocked with food and had a place to live, so I knew that one day we will come back home.
When do you think you will come back to Portugal?
R: I have no idea when the pandemic will be over, but I want to come back to Portugal and have a chance to explore it for sure.
Where will you go first after the quarantine is over?
R: I just want to take a walk in the woods and feel the huge space around me again.
What is the last photo you took?
A Couple Stuck in New York, USA
Where were you exactly when you first heard about the quarantine and the possibility of not being able to come back home?
I was in New York but did not allow myself to think of not coming back home. Yet, I had my concerns whether will we not be stuck in Germany, especially when we landed in Frankfurt. The airport’s employee frightened us that no hotel will allow tourists to stay in, and there is no transport available between the airports. At that moment, we were trying to figure out the whole situation and brainstormed all possible way outs. It turned out well – the hotel allowed us to check-in and German Lithuanians helped us with the transfer between the airports. I learned two things – always have your driving license even if you are only planning to take a walk in the woods and do not listen to anyone’s scary stories, no matter their concerns.
The first person you called when you knew you are stuck in a foreign country?
I didn’t have a chance to call anyone first – my family and friends were worry-texting me all the time. Was grateful for their concern, however, it made me feel a lot of stress. I guess it was more terrifying for them to see everything on the news rather than being in the foreign country themselves. Several calls with the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s hotline made me feel better as I knew they care about us.
What made you worry the most?
Seeing how every single hour more and more flights are being canceled. I was lucky that I was with a dear person of mine. Had the Internet, and knew that my family was well. From professional experience, I knew that every situation can be solved. We just needed to deal with stress and keep moving forward with possible solutions. At that moment, we relayed on the Internet a lot. However, I saw a lot of families with small children, elderly people in airports. And I was in touch with friends whose return was way complicated than ours. Thus I was grateful for reaching my home.
The last thing you remember before isolation?
Closing doors of our apartment! To tell you the truth, I don’t consider quarantine as an absolute obstacle to continue my life. We need to stay calm and survive it by staying at home. I don’t think of these days simply passing by without any reason. And do not try to compare life before and after it. I am trying to make the most of this time at home and take care of myself. Importantly, I am healthy and at home – hope everything will stay this way.
Where will you go first after the quarantine is over?
To visit my parents. They were extremely worried about me coming back. Were plotting ideas to get me home safe, so I want to hug and thank them.
What is the last photo you took?
